What Weight bullet for Deer 45LC Rifle

rdmallory · November 8, 2009, 07:41 PM

What weight do you recommend?

I am hunting a small plot and don't want to use my .308 so I am loading some 45lc for my rifle.

Should I stay with the standard 250? Shooting maximum of 100 yards.

GeauxTide · November 8, 2009, 07:52 PM

I'd use the 250 Hornday loads.

Ruger4570 · November 8, 2009, 11:54 PM

I have used various bullets, most weighing about 250 grains and of jacketed and cast varieties. I guess I would go heavier rather than lighter as far as bullet weights is concerned. I know there are a lot of shooters that like the lightweights and they too seem to work most of the time, I just prefer heavy over light.

rdmallory · November 13, 2009, 08:03 PM

This is shot in a Marlin Lever action.

200gr Leveraction crimped would not feed in the rifle.
250gr Leveraction non crimped would not feed in the rifle.
250grHP did not hold a good pattern.
300gr HP did not hold a good pattern.
300g sp Jacketed with h110 held a good pattern, fed well but kicked more than my 308.

Going hunting tomorrow with the 300g

Doug

confirmed shooter · November 14, 2009, 12:47 PM

13.5 grns. of sr4756 with a 240 grn hp gives you 1200 fps and is a safe load for ruger pistols and marlin rifles per sierra ballistic soft-ware.

rdmallory · November 14, 2009, 08:08 PM

How accurate is the hollow point?
I could not get a good grouping with them.

Doug

confirmed shooter · November 15, 2009, 03:51 PM

fair groups for the rifle-bullet combo. No tack driver in this caliber that I know of. Make sure of the size of your bbl, and the size of your rounds. .452/.453? that will make a differance in group size. Charlie Serra

Old Grump · November 15, 2009, 07:18 PM

Smaller than 250 makes a pretty short bullet and I personally don't care for that at rifle ranges, (basically anything over 60+ yards). Rifle, carbine or revolver my choice is LFN or XTP in 250 grain. If I was after black bear or monster feral hog I would switch to 300 gr but it really wouldn't make much difference. I have shot both with 170 grains out of an ancient 32 Win Spcl and they did just fine. I just don't like hollow points, I want my bullets to penetrate before opening up. Personal preference from an old dinosaur for what its worth.

View Poll Results: What weight bullet for deer in 45LC rifle round
200 Grain	0	0%
250-255 Grain	11	91.67%
300 Grain	1	8.33%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

November 8, 2009, 07:41 PM	#1
rdmallory Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Location: Deltona FL Posts: 953	What Weight bullet for Deer 45LC Rifle What weight do you recommend? I am hunting a small plot and don't want to use my .308 so I am loading some 45lc for my rifle. Should I stay with the standard 250? Shooting maximum of 100 yards.

November 13, 2009, 08:03 PM	#4
rdmallory Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Location: Deltona FL Posts: 953	Results This is shot in a Marlin Lever action. 200gr Leveraction crimped would not feed in the rifle. 250gr Leveraction non crimped would not feed in the rifle. 250grHP did not hold a good pattern. 300gr HP did not hold a good pattern. 300g sp Jacketed with h110 held a good pattern, fed well but kicked more than my 308. Going hunting tomorrow with the 300g Doug

November 15, 2009, 07:18 PM	#8
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Smaller than 250 makes a pretty short bullet and I personally don't care for that at rifle ranges, (basically anything over 60+ yards). Rifle, carbine or revolver my choice is LFN or XTP in 250 grain. If I was after black bear or monster feral hog I would switch to 300 gr but it really wouldn't make much difference. I have shot both with 170 grains out of an ancient 32 Win Spcl and they did just fine. I just don't like hollow points, I want my bullets to penetrate before opening up. Personal preference from an old dinosaur for what its worth. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

November 8, 2009, 07:52 PM	#2
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	I'd use the 250 Hornday loads.

November 8, 2009, 11:54 PM	#3
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	I have used various bullets, most weighing about 250 grains and of jacketed and cast varieties. I guess I would go heavier rather than lighter as far as bullet weights is concerned. I know there are a lot of shooters that like the lightweights and they too seem to work most of the time, I just prefer heavy over light.

November 14, 2009, 12:47 PM	#5
confirmed shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: reno, Nv. Posts: 109	13.5 grns. of sr4756 with a 240 grn hp gives you 1200 fps and is a safe load for ruger pistols and marlin rifles per sierra ballistic soft-ware.

November 14, 2009, 08:08 PM	#6
rdmallory Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Location: Deltona FL Posts: 953	How accurate is the hollow point? I could not get a good grouping with them. Doug

November 15, 2009, 03:51 PM	#7
confirmed shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: reno, Nv. Posts: 109	fair groups for the rifle-bullet combo. No tack driver in this caliber that I know of. Make sure of the size of your bbl, and the size of your rounds. .452/.453? that will make a differance in group size. Charlie Serra